They both look at me. Waiting.
“I don’t think she betrayed anyone,” I say. “But I also don’t think we know the whole story yet. Someone orchestrated this. Until we know who, everyone’s a potential target, but in the meantime, I’ll talk to her. Apologize. Explain it better.”
“Good luck with that,” Titan mutters. “She looked ready to stab you.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time someone wanted to stab me.”
I findher in her room an hour later. The door’s cracked open. She sits on her bed staring out the window, bandaged feet propped on pillows.
I knock on the doorframe. “Can we talk?”
“No.”
“I’m coming in anyway.”
“Typical.” But she doesn’t tell me to leave as I enter and close the door behind me.
I lean against the wall. “I’m sorry.”
“For what specifically? Accusing me of being a traitor? Or treating me like a criminal?”
“For both.” I choose my words more carefully this time. “My training makes me see patterns everywhere.”
“So you do think I’m involved.”
“I think you’re in danger.” I move closer but stop when she tenses. “Someone planned this. Either to trap you with Marcusor to create chaos in the club. Maybe both. And until we know who, you’re a target.”
She looks at me, finally. “You could have said that instead of interrogating me.”
“You’re right. I handled it wrong.” I sit on the edge of her bed, careful to keep space between us. “I don’t think you betrayed anyone, Bonnie. But I do think someone’s using you. And that scares me more than if you’d done it intentionally.”
“Why?”
“Because if it’s intentional, we can fight. We can plan, strategize, and counter. But if someone’s pulling strings we don’t see yet?” I shake my head. “That’s how people get killed.”
“I don’t know who turned in my father. I wish I did. I’d make them pay for putting me in this situation.”
I believe her. Every word rings true.
“If you think of anything—any conversation, any strange interaction, anyone who asked questions they shouldn’t have—you tell me. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Bonnie?” I wait until she looks at me. “I am on your side. Even when it doesn’t feel like it. You’re family. That means I protect you. Even from threats you can’t see.”
Her expression softens slightly. “You have a weird way of showing protection.”
“I’m working on it.”
She almost smiles. “Work faster.”
I stand to leave but pause at the door. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you ran. Glad you’re here instead of married to Marcus. Whatever else is happening, at least you’re safe, and I’ll make sure it remains that way even if I’m an asshole while doing it.”
This time, she does smile. Small, but there. “At least you’re self-aware.”
I leave her room feeling like I’ve partially fixed what I broke. But only partially.
Because the truth is, I’m still watching. Still analyzing. Still looking for the puppet master who orchestrated Iron’s arrest with such perfect timing.
